Stepping Into A Different World

In the third unit of the course Endurance we studied, the last part of a heroes journey, we analysed Malala’s speech, we watched an interview of a man who survived the holocaust along with everything he endured and we analyzed how one goes through apotheosis of their journey. In this unit we didn’t have an FE planned because we had to create our own FE. We had to do something or go somewhere where we can endure a mental, physical or both challenge. I chose to do a physical endurance and did exercise for almost an hour straight. For our action project, we had to create a survival book for our future selves. I want to go into the communications field and this book shows what it is, salary, what I need to prepare for, materials I will need and timeline. In this project I had difficulties with reaching some word limits and going in details in my explanations. Besides that the rest was straight forwards and it was easy for me. In this project I learned that I still have lots to learn about communications and I am proud of how realistic I answered future questions. To learn more about my future plans check out my survival book below. Enjoy!

KIS. Survival Book Cover. 2017

What and Why

My mission is to become a successful communicator whether that is in television, radio or digital multimedia. I am aiming more towards digital multimedia, but I also like the other two, so I wouldn’t mind doing one or two of them. I want to pursue it because it’s something I am interested in and have some experience in. I am a young Latina who wants to help other young girls get resources and opportunities for them to get a higher education. I want to become someone who people can rely on to get information and someone who people want around for important events.

Lay of the Land

In this area, most people become really successful because they know someone in the industry who they get help from or has a big network before the career. To be in communications, one has to read a lot to be informed about many things that go on in the world, country, state, city and neighborhood. One must pronounce words well, talk clearly, improvise and chose words correctly. It is highly recommended to get a degree in communication. It can be radio, journalism, social media, marketing, television, newsprint or public relations. Having this degree will make life easier in this field because one will have the knowledge of how to project their voice, manipulate it, knows how to act when telling news or saying a script and one knows how to get the message across with the right words.

I was told that I one’s words can kill an idea, project or a person. I have a mentor who has helped and started to guide me through this area. She has a long career starting in Mexico and now in the Unites States, she is well connected and she knows what she is doing. She is looking for young people who like communications and would like to start a show that will reach other young people. That’s a reason why she is also mentoring me-- she wants to and is going to prepare me with the right tools to start and continue a show like that. People who are famous and in the communication are the people in the news, reporters and people who host shows. People like Opera, Erika Pino, Ellen, Clarissa Molina, Alejandra Espinoza and more others. These are people who have been where I am and they are figures to follow.

A graduate with a communication degree will have jobs with salaries from $23,530-$187,000 it all depends on what area one focus the degree on and entry, mid and long salaries. The educational levels for communications is associate’s, bachelor’s and master's. The most common communication majors are Public Relations (PR) and Organizational Communication, Radio, TV, Broadcasting, Journalism, Advertising and Marketing. The top ten jobs in order from highest paying to lowest paying in communication are Chief Marketing Officer, Vice President (VP) Communication, VP Marketing, VP Account Manager, VP Marketing & Business Development, Group Account Director, Director of Strategy, Online Marketing Director, Social Media Director, VP Public Relations, Executive Producer, Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, Global Marketing Manager, Account Director and Marketing Consultant. Communications is a big umbrella with many majors which means that their are many opportunities to get jobs and to find what one really likes.

There is lots to learn and many requirement I will have to fulfill in the communication field. Communications might sound easy, but it’s not because their is many options to chose from and it comes with different salaries. Also knowing what major is in demand will help me get a job as soon as I graduates. I have a lot ahead of me and it’s not going to be an easy road.

Timeline 

2015- Look for someone in the industry or a place to do internship

2016- Take speech classes

2016- Get more involved in this industry

2017- Go to college to learn more

2019- Get an internship to get experience

2020- Graduate

2021- Get a stable good job

2023- Start working on my own projects

2025- Work with well networked or famous people

2029- Get awarded for a work of mine

Resources and Materials

I think I will need a top computer with plenty of memory. I will need the best technology in general. I will also need to go to many social events to start creating my network that I will need in the future. I will need these things because communication is all about technology and social media. Getting yourself out there and what you stand for. These materials are expensive and not easy to get so I will need to find a place to get it cheap. I need these things to do the best I can in my work. A good quality work will get me far in my career.

Non-Negotiable's

Family is the most important thing, and hanging out with friends is fun, but if necessary I will need to make the sacrifice. Only if it’s worth it at the end. If I have to sacrifice family parties or friends, I will. I am not willing to waste my time on something that wouldn’t get me far or that will benefit my career in the long run. My family understands that things need to be sacrificed in order to get where you want to be, so I think they that will be a problem. I am also not willing to give up my sleep too much.

What If?

Worst-case scenario would be not graduating with all my credits, dropping out because of my contribution to college or lost of scholarships or changing my major last minute and extending my college time. With extension it will cost more money, I won’t graduate on time and I won’t graduate with my friends. Another thing would be not getting a job right after college, so I won’t have an income or a stable job. I think I would be lost and frustrated with life, it would be a downside. I would be in a bad position if I don’t have somewhere to go after college and with a debt. I think that those scenarios would be the worst that can happen to my career. My backup plan would be to get a job in another field until I find a job with my degree. By doing this, I will have money for basic necessities. In this scenario I would like to stand on my own, but I know I will need the support of my family to get through and they would probably offer to help in whatever way they can. My backup plan won’t be much and it might not be enough, but it is what I think I can do for now.

Inspiration

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” -H. Jackson Brown

“Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts . This is the secret of success.” -Swami Sivananda

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” -Vince Lombardi

Map

I chose this map because I am studying in Chicago and I would like to stay in Chicago. The thing is that in LA there is more opportunities for my degree meaning more job offering, more networking and a stable income.

Personal Choice: A to hear quote

“If education was easy, everyone would do it.” -My Dad

Citations:

“Bachelor of Arts (BA), Communication Degree Average Salary.” PayScale Human Capital. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Best Jobs For Communications Majors by Salary Potential.” PayScale Human Capital. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Inspirational Quotes.” Brainy Quotes. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Map of USA showing state names.” Wikimedia. N.P. May 24, 2017. Web. June 1, 2017.

“Types of Communication Degrees.” Masters In Communication. N.P. Web. June 1, 2017.